12 of My Favourite Film Photos from 2024

Quick Summary

This is a reflection on the one of most important years of my life, creatively speaking – in the summer of 2024 I picked up my film camera and didn’t look back. Over 100 rolls of film later, here are some of my favourites, alongside the story behind the shot.

Some of these are the best photos I took technically – others just mean more to be for other reasons.

These are in no particular order. I truly hope you enjoy them.

This photo, for me, reflects the idyll peace offered by the innumerable churches scattered across the Città Alta, Bergamo.

This particular shot is from Sant’Andrea, or church of St Andrew the Apostle, a neoclassical church built in 1837 that appears seemingly out of nowhere as you stroll down Via Porta Dipinta.

As someone exited the church doors, a stream of perfect light poured into the space and I felt compelled to capture that scene.

Camera: Pentax SFXn

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Film: Kodak Gold 200

I think this may be one of my favourite photographs I have ever taken.

It is one of those rare, rare times where the final shot and the vision in my head were matched perfectly and I cannot tell you the feeling of shock and excitement getting this back from the lab.

This was taken as I entered the Sant’Agostino gate for the first time – built in 1575, this is the main entrance to reach the old town, or Città Alta, from the lower town of Bergamo.

As I turned to speak to my girlfriend I saw this stairway and arch on the opposite side of the gate, praying that a lone subject would walk down it in time for me to get my camera sorted.

The stars aligned with this one for sure.

Camera: Pentax SFXn

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Film: Kodak Gold 200

A short walk up from Sant’Andrea, on Via Porta Dipinta, I noticed a sloping walkway out of the corner of my eye.

It was an incredibly busy summer’s day in Bergamo, and as I looked at the composition of the scene I found myself wishing for a clear shot and a lone subject, already aware that might be impossible given the heaving, bustling streets.

However, a minute later there was a natural lull in footfall on the little stretch we were on, and just before a large group of tourists came into shot I managed to snap this and get exactly what I asked for!

Camera: Pentax SFXn

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Film: Kodak Gold 200

On one of our last days in Bergamo, the rain fell heavily and seemingly out of nowhere.

We had just experienced the wonders of the Duomo, and as we left the giant cathedral doors the heavens opened.

Running across the Piazza Vecchia, we took refuge under the white marble façade of the Palazzo Nuovo, a library and town hall that took over three centuries to finish building.

As we dried off and waited for the rain to calm, a group with matching yellow umbrellas arrived to do the same, providing a very cool opportunity for a shot!

Camera: Pentax SFXn

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Film: Kodak Gold 200

There’s not too much to say about this one other than it captures a wonderful day out visiting our good friend Bella at her home in Brighton.

Beautifully sun, calm waters and warm, smooth pebbles to make a bed of. I even got lucky with a seagull flying into shot!

Camera: Pentax SFXn

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Film: Kodak Gold 200

This was one of the first shots I took after committing to shooting on film all summer.

We were in Fowey, Cornwall, experiencing some rare and much appreciated British sun. I had packed my gear and walked through Readymoney Cove, heading up above St Catherine’s Castle and onto the South West Coast Path.

As I neared the end of the initial ascent I was greeted with a truly blessed view – sunshine and blue water as far as I could see. I sat on this bench for a moment and drank in how lucky I was.

I took this picture shortly after, and I think it perfectly captures the serenity of that place.

You can see more of my shots from Cornwall, here.

Camera: Pentax SFXn

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Film: Kodak Gold 200

This portrait marks a real moment in time for me, where I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to pursue a photography project.

I was spending a couple of weeks in London around the Borough Market area and, whilst surveying the local area on a morning walk, had stumbled across a beautiful and intriguing scene…

Through large sunlit windows I could see a workbench covered in wood shavings; tools of all shapes and sizes lined the walls; painted and sketched ornate design plans scattered across a desk; and in the far end, lingering in shadow, oddly shaped sculptures.

As I walked away I thought to myself that I would love to be able to shoot in there.

The thought stuck. When I returned back in the evening I sat with my laptop and attempted to find out what this workshop was for and, more importantly, who ran it.

After some digging, I came across Hugh Wedderburn – a master wood carver, and I was determined to do something I’d never done before and reach out to this stranger.

I wrote a letter and posted it through the letterbox. Two days later, I was in the workshop with two rolls of film, bumbling and nervous, watching a true master at work.

Here is the full gallery, if you’re interested!

Camera: Pentax SFXn

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Film: Kodak Gold 200

This photo was recently featured on Domino Film Photo’s “Behind the Photo” series alongside the following caption:

“The night before this photo was taken I told my girlfriend that I had reached a point where I felt I had to pour myself fully into my photography.

I could not explain why – I just knew.

At 5.00am I awoke, grabbed my camera and walked, alone, around the scenic village of Fowey, Cornwall.

As I neared the harbour the village was swallowed by a thick shroud of sea-mist. I sat for a while in that cosmic blanket, freezing, listening to water I couldn’t see, content that I was embarking on a journey of real personal significance.

I waited until the first dregs of sunlight summoned the courage to appear and took this photo. The first of many, many more from a Summer that changed my life.”

Camera: Pentax SFXn

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Film: Ilford HP5 Plus 400

I was lucky enough to head to the Italian Lakes toward the end of my time in Bergamo, and we spent a full day exploring the delights of Lecco.

Whilst walking around the perimeter of the lake, I was struck by a golden statue of Saint Nicolas, the patron saint of Lecco and protector of sailors and boatmen, standing tall amidst the waters.

Next to him, a small boat idled over and they began to fish the waters. Beyond the obvious Christian symbology of fish, fishing, and the Ichthys, I thought the scene was visually stunning.

Camera: Pentax SFXn

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Film: Kodak Gold 200

There’s not much to say about this one beyond that it was one of my favourite shots from my London trip.

Hailing from the Peak District, shooting so much street photography and capturing the perversely dense levels of humanity living in such a place was a real thrill, and challenge.

The rest of my London shots can be seen in my gallery here.

Camera: Pentax SFXn

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Film: Kodak Gold 200

Lamb’s Conduit street is one of my favourite streets to visit when I head to London. My cousin, Jonny, took me there when I was 15 and we spent the afternoon eating overpriced food, drinking overpriced coffee, and browsing the selections on offer at overpriced shops.

I wanted to take my girlfriend there whilst in London, as well as take some shots around the area.

This photograph is one of my favourites as I like the composition and the way the waiter adds some motion to an otherwise quite still scene.

I also enjoy the fact that, after taking this shot, me and my girlfriend realise that the lady is actually Cathy Newman, the news presenter on Channel 4, making me an accidental paparazzi…

Camera: Pentax SFXn

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Film: Ilford HP5 Plus 400

This is from the last roll of film I got back from 2024 and shows Millhouses Park after our first real bought of Winter snowfall.

I really enjoy the reflection from the water and the way the snow came out in black and white.

I am determined, after spending much of summer away on various trips, to shoot much more of Sheffield and dedicate myself to documenting what I can, whilst I can.

This photo, for me, resembles that commitment – I have a gallery dedicated to Sheffield where I plan to collect images in an ongoing series.

Camera: Pentax SFXn

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Film: Ilford HP5 Plus 400

Looking back on these images has made me incredibly thankful for the opportunities I have had to travel, shoot, and practice my craft.

I managed to visit some truly spectacular places, mostly with my wonderful girlfriend and the friends and family I love the most.

2024 will forever be the year that I truly fell in love with the medium of film photography. I hope 2025 brings me more of the same – I want to learn more, shoot more, travel more, and turn this into something special.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in this journey so far. Follow me on Instagram to keep up with what I get up to!